Craftzine.com blog

How-To: Homemade Sidewalk Chalk

2012-05-16T22:00:00Z

It's sunny and warm here in Detroit, so I've got outdoor activities on the brain. This how-to for homemade sidewalk chalk looks like a blast. Brought to you by Jessica Begum for Modern Mom, this project looks incredibly fun to make at home.

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Fish to Sushi Amigurumi Pattern

2012-05-16T21:00:00Z

This brilliant amigurumi pattern from Irene Kiss on Ravelry transforms from a fish into a piece of sushi. Perfect! [via KnitHacker]

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Felicia Day Learns to Crochet

2012-05-16T19:00:00Z

When actress Felicia Day launched her new YouTube channel, Geek & Sundry, I was thrilled. I was particularly intrigued by a very brief glimpse of her crocheting in the opening of her show, The Flog, where she shares her cool adventures each week. I've been waiting for the crochet episode to air, and when it came up this week, I was not disappointed. Day and Colin Ferguson visit KnitCulture in Los Angeles, where they learn basic crochet stitches and create their first amigurumi ... or something thereabouts. As with all her Flog episodes, hilarity ensues. Ferguson is delightfully surprising with his seeming natural stitching skills, and their finished characters are awesome. Enjoy! Thanks, Bonnie!

How-To: Wind-Up Paper Butterflies

2012-05-16T18:00:00Z

I am absolutely in love with this wind-up paper butterfly tutorial that Amelia from The Homebook shared on You Are My Fave. It really doesn't get much better than handmade toys that actually move—I only wish I'd seen this project in time to put a butterfly in my mom's Mother's Day card!

Ready to make your own? Head over to You Are My Fave to see the complete how-to!

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Craft Social is Today at 2pm EST

2012-05-16T17:30:00Z

As I posted on Monday, I'll be co-hosting this month's Craft Social twitter chat today from 2-3PM EST. We'll be chatting about about ways to fuel your creative fire—a subject near and dear to any crafter's heart—so I hope to see you there!

For more information on how to join, head over to Craft Social.

Bazaar Bizarre Preview #2

2012-05-16T17:00:00Z

Recover Your Thoughts: Recover Your Thoughts creates usuable journals from discarded library books.

Meet your paper goods and book vendors.

Alchemilla: Alchemilla is the craft label of west coast artist Jen Lorang. We specialize in one-of-a-kind handprinted posters, journals, prints, and bags. We also have a popular jewelry line utilizing found and vintage pieces. All of our products express the common theme of botanical imagery, alchemy, & magic.

Unusual Cards: Unusual Cards sells a hilarious variety of greeting cards, magnets, and prints all based on the hand cut collage art of Francesca Berrini. Be sure to check out our Etsy shop after you look at our official website to see some originals!

Binary Winter/Cody Vrosh: Binary Winter Press (artist Cody Vrosh and writer Sheatiel Sarao) creates original art, books and artist designed shirts, scarves, and ties inspired by the things they love best, from Art Nouveau to robots, steampunk to satellites. Everything is handmade in an eco-friendly and vegan workshop.

Arcane Arts, llc: Under Arcane Arts I make affordable reproductions of my art. My illustrations are available in prints, prints on wood, cards, pillow covers, plush animals, wearable scarves & original art too!

Bossa Nova Baby: I combine Gocco screen printing with embroidery and free form machine stitching to create unique apparel and accessories. I am currently working on a line vintage inspired light weight summer dresses - simple and flattering!

Berkley Illustration: Ryan Berkley creates comic book inspired art and prints for your walls or family photo albums. Best known for his Animals in Suits series, Ryan tackles surreal subject matter in a very friendly way. With his wife, Lucy, he is also expanding into home accessories using his drawings as inspiration.

Cleverhands.net: I make Journal Bandoliers a strap fitted with small loops for carrying pens, pencils, and other handy tools wrapped around a journal, planner, or other book.

Nidhi Chanani Illustration: Whimsical, romantic and fun art prints and cards by artist Nidhi Chanani.

Genuine HAHA: We create whimsical cards and specialize in giving you the choices to find the words that you cannot find yourself.

Magnote Corporation: Unique paper craft, wood craft, stationery lines, and more!

NovelPoster: We make poster prints entirely from bodies of text - classic, modern and fully legible from beginning to end.

Flimflammery: Flimflammery is art by Bay Area artist Bill Robinson. He sells prints, self-published children's books, pins, magnets, cards, and hand painted original art.

Doubleparlour: Doubleparlour, born in 2007, is a creative collaboration between Ernie and Cassandra Velasco. We create sculptures, paintings, drawings, prints, and tshirts.

bird mafia: From organic home goods to original cut paper shadow boxes, bird mafia is based around the cut paper art form. Taking inspiration from the world around us and translating it into meticulous designs all hand-cut with an xacto knife.

Small Adventure: A collection of illustrated prints, stationery and handmade objects with a thoughtful approach to nature, camping and traveling the world.

Recipe: Chocolate Thin Mint Ice Cream

2012-05-16T16:00:00Z

If you like Girl Scout cookies, then you're going to love this chocolate thin mint ice cream recipe from Natalie at Life Made Simple! Just try not to sneak too many cookies while you're mixing them in, okay?

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Digitally Designed Lace

2012-05-16T14:00:00Z

Artist Cristina Suzuki created a series of illustrations called Rendas Digitais (Digital Lace) based on traditional textile techniques, which she mimics by processing her original drawings with graphic design software.

Lace looks complex, but it is actually simple details that together amplify the view and bring a complexity, startling the viewer. That's how I feel when I see the work of Northeastern weavers. And I've built my work from that. The difference? I don't use thread. Yet

[via Creator's Project]

Bazaar Bizarre Preview #1

2012-05-15T23:00:00Z

Get to know your Bazaar Bizarre accessory and homegoods vendors.

City Green: I sell a variety of prints and accessories associated with my love for cities and urban environments.

.retool: We design & handmake sleek, vegan wallets, messenger bags, iPad cases, laptop sleeves, pouches & more! We especially enjoy using recycled/repurposed materials- e.g. seat belts, recycled plastic bottle & tarps. Some materials come from factory remnants, stuff that would otherwise go to landfills.

Booty Boutique Belt Buckles: One-of-a-kind and limited edition handmade (in SF) belt buckles using mostly recycled materials and resin. Also sold are handmade (in SF) interchangeable leather belt straps.

Shebobo & Sayuri Designs: Headwear and Accessories using recycled men's neck ties, clock parts, feathers, ribbon, lace and wool.

Like Always With Love (LAWL): LAWL features hand sewn hairbows and hair accessories.

Intwined: We make unique reversible bow ties that are versatile and quirky and can be worn casually and/or formally.

House of Honore: Playful fleece hats and accessories, all designed and crafted by Isolde Honoré. Embrace your silly side.

Buluchu: Buluchu handmade handbags, scarfs, and fashion accessories with passion and care. It is also a place where passion meets creation.

Foxy Monster: Foxy Monster is dedicated to the mission of spreading love, smiles, and goofiness, while keeping heads and necks warm. Reversible fake fur hoods with ears. For Adults, Children, and Babies. All of our hoods are hand made by us in S. Lake Tahoe, CA.

field day: Completely conscious clothing and accessories, made with care in Oakland CA.

Shopgibberish: Signs, pillows, necklaces, baby clothes, wine bags and charms, etc. made from periodic table tiles. The geeky crowd loves it!

Nicole Steward Designs: Fresh, unique, handmade housewares. Hand-stamped and sewn in San Jose, CA.

p.o.p. candy co.: We make an edible craft...a premium handmade fresh butter crunch available in a variety of different sizes and original flavors in pre-packaged labeled cello bags and gift tins.

Brookie's Bath: I create novelty bath products.

Artifact Bonanza: I create precious artifacts in the form of whimsical images embroidered on wood. Soon there will be silk screened items. All handmade artifacts are made with loving imprecision.

zubrub: zubrub is a San Carlos, independent, family-owned business. With local ingredients from sustainably operated farms, we blend organic beeswax with pure essential oils to create a simple and effective organic skin care balm that moisturizes skin naturally.

Miso Handmade: We make fun stuff for pets! Miso Handmade is our Etsy shop for cats.

Doggy Detail: We make fun stuff for pets! Doggy Detail is our Etsy shop for dogs.

Le Petit Elefant: le petit elefant specializes in toys, handmade crafts and artwork for kids and kids-at-heart.

Sequoia Beauty: Handmade, Organic, Raw FACIAL care only. Made with ingredients grown by local bay area farmers. With love!

Clean Getaway Soap Company: From our soap laboratory in Tucson, we are proud to hand make the finest soaps on Earth using original recipes, traditional methods, organic ingredients and an irreverent flavor all our own.

Craft Leftovers: Craft leftovers is all about making the best of what's on hand and is filled with projects, stories, recipes, and all original illustrations. Single issues, box sets, and subscriptions available.

Living Ambiance: Open glass terrariums of various sizes and shapes skillfully designed to appeal to any individual

I thrive to bring the very best colors and textures to each and every terrarium while keeping in mind the beauty and simplicity of them all, creating living works of art.

BeastWares: BeastWares are purveyors of Furry Finery and Sparkly Wonders! We specialize in unique animal hats and Glitter Britches, our line of pants.

Filthy Cute: We like funky, clever, witty things. We like pop culture, Mexicana, cute Japanese and steampunk and try to incorporate that into our designs. We use quality supplies to make quality products even if it is a knitted dead rat.

Vinyl Frontier: Vinyl Frontier rescues abandoned records and upcycles them into awesome journals and bowls. Each is one of a kind!

C Westbrook Designs: I design and sell a wide array of 3D Printed and Laser Cut things. Among them are iPhone cases, candle displays, home decor, jewelry, so far one board game, and likely a few screen printed tshirts. I'm an avid maker, so will have a good amount of new stuff by then.

dorklandia: Handmade, goofy little plush and accessories from the heart of dorklandia.

Bugs And Monsters: Bugs and Monsters specializes in hand painted upcycled ceramics featuring mustaches and cute creatures along with a few other products in related themes.

Bug Under Glass: Bug Under Glass is a San Francisco Green Certified business that specializes in hand-crafted eco-friendly insect displays, framed butterflies, butterfly wing jewelry and a unique style of natural history art. Hand Crafted by a biologist.

Windmill Corner: Daniel Castillo makes instruments including a bamboo whistle, hardwood shakers, a wooden bell that is a replica of a 700 year old artifact found in the Atacama Desert in South America, and a drum made of a hollowed out log which is a replica of an ancient Mayan instrument.

As Wood As It Gets: I'm a Bay Area native who makes custom wood home accessories from reclaimed/sustainable domestic and exotic hardwoods.

Xylocopa Design: Andrew & Michele are Xylocopa Design, a husband-wife team from Tucson, Arizona. We make unique musical instruments, jewelry, toys, and decorations out of natural materials.

8BitMonkey: 8BitMonkey creates classic 80s 8bit Wood Mosaics.

Bee Parade: Bee Parade designs cards, jewelry, and totes with a vintage and japanese design aesthetic.

MAHOOHOO: Here at MAHOOHOO we make everything from paper goods to jewelry and apparel. Our aesthetic comes from our colorful and tongue and cheek point of view. It is our desire to marry the fantastic together with craft and rigor.

Urban Fauna Studio: Urban Fauna Studio sells independently made and eco-friendly craft supplies and tools. We focus on ecologically and socially considerate manufacturing practices (e.g. no-petrochemicals used, sustainable raw fibers and woods, biodegradable products, and recycled materials) and handmade items. At our studio you can explore the fiber arts (knitting, spinning, felting and weaving), sewing, paper crafts and more!

Glitter Gemstone Necklace

2012-05-15T22:00:00Z

If you are in the mood for a bit of sparkles try out this DIY glitter gemstone necklace by P.S. I Made This.

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CRAFT on MAKE

2012-05-15T21:25:00Z

We have exciting news for our readers: CRAFT is moving to MAKE in June! You'll get the same awesome CRAFT content from your favorite crafty bloggers, all under the umbrella of our sibling O'Reilly Media publication, MAKE. Our teams already work closely together to bring you the best of the maker movement. By moving CRAFT over to the MAKE web site, we'll be able to offer you the same crafty content you love in a more streamlined, efficient way, and all our forms of making will be under one roof. You'll get the same types of posts each day, from the same team members you know and love. All our feeds will automatically transfer, so you won't have to update your RSS reader or other methods of reading the new CRAFT feed on MAKE. The transition will be as seamless as possible.

Here's Gareth Branwyn, Editorial Director for MAKE, on the move:

We had a lot of fun making this goofy video. As it declares, coming in June, CRAFT, our popular go-to site for the crafting community, will be moving over to makezine.com. We've always felt as though crafting was just another type of making. As we've moved our content management deeper into WordPress, it makes sense for us to move our craft content over to the makezine.com domain and to treat it as one of the key content areas that we plan on building out as we move forward. So, coming next month, that's what we'll be doing. CRAFT on MAKE.

We'll also be joining forces at Maker Faire Bay Area this weekend. The CRAFT and MAKE areas have merged into one amazing space, ready to spark all of your making curiosity, from stitching to soldering. Be sure to check back this week for updates on our exciting CRAFT programming for the Faire.

Our full transition to Makezine.com will happen in June. We'll keep you posted here on the CRAFT blog and through our various social media channels so you don't miss a thing. We look forward to working as part of the greater MAKE team and continuing to share the best DIY inspiration for makers of all kinds

Morrocan Lanterns from Spaghetti Jars

2012-05-15T19:00:00Z

This is one of the most unique up-cycled projects I have seen! Matsutake shows how to take a spaghetti jar and turn it into a Morrocan-inspired lantern! Love this and totally trying it myself!

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How-To: Refashion T-Shirt to Baby Dress

2012-05-15T18:00:00Z

UpCrafting doesn't just mean working with recycling bin materials. Refashioning clothing items is a fantastic way to create environmentally-friendly crafts. Dana of MADE shares how she transformed a thrifted child's t-shirt into a sweet dress for an infant. I love that this was a "winging it" project. Those often give the most fun, rewarding results of all!

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CMYK Embroidery

2012-05-15T17:00:25Z

I would never have the patience (or tools) to recreate this, but I love this embroidered CMYK poster from Custhom. It's currently sold out, but looks like they will be making more! (Via Swiss Miss).

How-To: Recycled T-Shirt Rose Bouquet

2012-05-15T16:00:00Z

Looking for a lovely way to recycle t-shirts that your kids have outgrown? Check out this t-shirt rose bouquet that Heather from The Sewing Loft shared in Green Child Magazine!

The Summer 2012 issue of Green Child Magazine is out and I could not be more excited to share an easy way to turn your child's favorite tee shirts into a keepsake.

Ready to make your own? You can find the full tutorial—plus a ton of other kid-friendly ideas—right here.

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